Lab & Diagnostic Testing

There are a variety of clinical and diagnostic tests available for patients at labs.

Lab testing for diagnostic purposes refers to more than the performance of various assays at different testing labs. It also involves all the research that goes into the development of new drugs, new equipment, and new diagnostic tests.

People Behind Lab Diagnostic Testing

Research scientists, research associates and technicians work together to determine the best materials and methodology for performance of routine assays. Sometimes they work on new assays.They must constantly evaluate the materials and techniques used by various researchers.

PSA Test

Physicians routinely order tests that did not exist 20 to 30 years ago. The PSA test is one example. This test screens for prostate-specific antigen. Genetic screening was of no concern to the public until recently, because it could not be done on large scale that would allow many people to be screened.

Genetic Screening

The development of genetic screening and other lab and diagnostic methods for assaying samples demanded diligent work by men and women who were willing to apply their scientific knowledge in order to meet new medical challenges. Genetic screening experts sort through plenty of literature and find the few facts that could help them to unravel the latest medical mysteries.

References

• National Cancer Institute: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
• MedlinePlus: Laboratory Tests